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CNV Internationaal Condemns Holcim’s Labour Rights Violations in Peru

Despite millions in investment, cement company undermines social dialogue and union rights

CNV Internationaal expresses serious concerns about the situation in Peru, where cement producer Holcim - through subsidiaries COMACSA and MIXERCOM - has laid off more than 70 workers since August 2024, including 6 boardmembers of SNTRAFAPESA, ETEX's union.

Union members have extra protection by law because of their union function. Yet they have been collectively dismissed under the guise of "economic reasons" and temporary work stoppage. Peru's Labour Ministry has repeatedly issued that they should be reinstated, but Holcim ignores these decisions. Moreover, the workers concerned have not received salaries for more than a year.

 

Violation of international standards

This behaviour undermines fundamental labour rights and international standards. It hinders social dialogue and restricts workers’ rights to organize and engage in collective bargaining, as guaranteed by ILO Conventions 87 and 98.

Holcim has invested more than 100 million USD in Peru in recent years and achieved annual sales of around 200 million USD. Moreover, the company continues to expand its production capacity. Business reasons for the redundancies are therefore not credible. Yet Holcim continues to violate workers' rights and obstruct union functioning.

Holcim also violates basic international labour rights at other subsidiaries in Latin-America, including Ecuador where unions at Holcim factories have virtually disappeared due to intimidation and dismissals.

CNV Internationaal and its partners demand:

  • Immediate redeployment of the dismissed workers
  • Compliance with the decisions of the Peruvian Ministry of Labour
  • Termination of all anti-union actions and respect for fundamental labour rights

CNV Internationaal calls on Holcim to take responsibility and resolve this conflict. Only by restoring social dialogue and protecting workers' rights can the company ensure sustainable and responsible business.

The approach of CNV Internationaal

Multiannual programme of European trade unions on the timber and construction sectors

CNV Internationaal supports the trade union within Holcim through a multi-year initiative aimed at strengthening trade unions in international companies in the timber and construction sector in West Africa and Latin America.

The programme was set up by three European trade unions: CNV (Netherlands), ACV (Belgium) and CFDT (France). Together, they support local trade unions that operate within multinational companies. The aim: to enhance the ability of  trade unions to conduct social dialogue and reach agreements on improving working conditions.

The programme also includes leadership training for young people and women to train new leaders and future-proof the union.

Thanks to this project, trade unions contribute to better working conditions, safe and healthy work, fair wages, and trade union freedom.

Publication date 18 11 2025